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BIODIVERSITAS ISSN: 1412-033X Volume 21, Number 1, January 2020 E-ISSN: 2085-4722

Pages: 393-406 DOI: 10.13057/biodiv/d210146

Fish species, traders, and trade in traditional market: Case study in

Pasar Baru, Balikpapan City, East Kalimantan, Indonesia

RAHMAN LATIF ALFIAN1,♥, JOHAN ISKANDAR2,3, BUDIAWATI SUPANGKAT ISKANDAR1, SUROSO2,

DICKY P. ERMANDARA2, DEDE MULYANTO1, RUHYAT PARTASASMITA2,3 1Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Social Science and Political Science, Universitas Padjadjaran, Jl. Raya Bandung-Sumedang Km. 21, Jatinangor

Unpad Campus, Sumedang 45363, West Java, Indonesia. Tel.: +62-22-2510276, Fax.: +62-22-7796974, email: [email protected],

[email protected] 2Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Padjadjaran. Jl. Raya Bandung-Sumedang Km. 21, Jatinangor Unpad

Campus, Sumedang 45363, West Java, Indonesia. Tel.: +62-22-779-6412, Fax.: +62-22-779-6412, email: [email protected];

[email protected]; [email protected] 3Environmental Science Graduate Program (PSMIL & DIL), Universitas Padjadjaran. Jl. Sekeloa Selatan I, Bandung 40132, West Java, Indonesia

Manuscript received: 19 November 2019. Revision accepted: 4 January 2020.

Abstract. Alfian RL, Iskandar J, Iskandar BS, Suroso, Ermandara DP, Mulyanto D, Partasasmita R. 2020. Fish species, traders, and

trade in traditional market: Case study in Pasar Baru, Balikpapan City, East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 393-406. The

purpose of this study is to analyze the species of fish traded by fish traders in the Pasar Baru traditional market, Balikpapan, East

Kalimantan. In addition, this study analyses the Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) of fish traders on fishes, including naming

fish, fish habitat and caught technique, sex differentiate, taste of fish, price of fish, origin of fish and processing, freshness of fish and

preservation, and the transmission of knowledge and conservation of the fish species. This study used qualitative methods that

ethnoichthyology approach was used, with some field technics, namely observation, depth interview, and survey of species of fish were applied. The results showed that there were 36 species, representing 22 families recorded in the traditional market of Pasar Baru.

Fish traders have good knowledge on fishes, including naming fish, sex differentiate, fish caught, freshness of fish, and how to preserve

fish. Traders often offer fish to buyers by mentioning the names and various aspects of fish species, so the traders have indirectly

introduced and socialized the TEK of fish species to buyers and a wider community. In addition, since the high diversity of fish species

has normally traded in the traditional market, it has an important function not only for the community's economy, but also have an

important function for the conservation of biodiversity of fish species in the region.

Keywords: Conservation, fish, traders, local knowledge, traditional markets

INTRODUCTION

Based on ecological history or environmental history, it

has been a long time in various cities in Indonesia having

traditional markets. Nowadays, although many modern

markets have emerged, traditional markets in various cities

in Indonesia are still able to survive. Traditional markets

are places where traders and buyers meet or where demand

and supply meet in buying and selling between traders and

buyers (Supangkat-Iskandar 1998; Supangkat 2002).

Traditional markets have characteristics, including simple

physical conditions, buying and selling activities are

realized based on the bargaining principle made possible by

the sliding price system (sistem tawar menawar). In

bargaining, social relations between traders and traders

with buyers are activated, as well as a place for

communication and information sharing between local

residents.

In traditional markets, in addition to being traded

various industrial city products, variety products of flora

and fauna produced by rural farmers with a small-scale

system are also predominantly traded. Among the diverse

flora commonly traded in traditional markets, namely in the

form of edible plants, such as fruits, vegetables, cooking

spices, and traditional medicinal plants (Arman 1996;

Supangkat 2012; Silalahi et al. 2015; Iskandar et al. 2018).

Meanwhile, variety products of fauna commonly traded in

traditional markets, including various species of fish, such

as salted fish and fresh fish produced from the sea or

freshwater ecosystem (Supangkat 2002; Nurasa 2005;

Maidika et al. 2016; Kurniawan et al. 2019).

The variety of flora and fauna products traded in

traditional markets is closely related to the culture of the

local community and the diversity of local biodiversity. For

example, the diversity of dominant vegetable species has

been traded in some traditional markets, such as the Ujung

Berung market, Bandung, West Java. This is partly because

culturally Sundanese people like to consume both fresh and

cooked vegetables and some mountainous areas in rural

West Java have become vegetable farming centers because

the area is suitable for vegetable cultivation, such as having

fertile soil and appropriate cold weather (Iskandar et al.

2018). Similarly, a variety of fruits have been widely

traded in several traditional markets in Pontianak, West

Kalimantan, partly because of having the diversity of fruits

produced by small-holders in mixed orchards or forest

gardens (Tembawang) (Arman 1996). Therefore, the

diversity of flora and fauna products traded in traditional

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BIODIVERSITAS 21 (1): 393-406, January 2020

394

markets is a reflection of the diversity of biodiversity and

the cultural characteristics of the people in the region (cf.

Albuquerque et al. 2014).

Because various products of flora and fauna have

commonly traded in traditional markets, the traditional

markets can play an important role, not only for the

function of the people's economy, but also for the

conservation of various biodiversity products. Indeed, the

local rural people want to cultivate or conserve the species

of flora and fauna in their area due to those species flora

and fauna may be traditionally traded in the traditional

markets. In addition, the traditional markets may also play

a role in maintaining and transmitting the local knowledge

or the Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) of traders

on various species of flora and fauna. Because the traders

who have been owned experience trading the species of

flora and fauna for a very long time and transmitted

through generations, causing them to have knowledge of

TEK about flora and fauna. Therefore, the traditional markets can be considered to be essential play an important role, not only for the function of

the people's economy, but also for the conservation of

various biodiversity products. In addition to giving

encouragement to farmers to cultivate and conserve the

flora and fauna in their area, the traditional markets can

also play a role in maintaining and transmitting TEK of the

local people on species of flora and fauna. Since the traders

who have been experienced trading the species of flora and

fauna for a very long time and inherited through

generations, they have culturally owned and maintained the

TEK of flora and fauna.

Generally, the traditional market across culture in many

regions can be considered as public places designated for

various flora and fauna products that simultaneously

function as spaces for trade and cultural information,

including TEK of flora and fauna (cf. Alburquerque et al.

2014). TEK may be defined as unique to given culture or

society, as cumulative body of knowledge, practice, and

belief, evolving adaptive process and handed down through

generations by cultural transmission. Conversely with the

scientific Western knowledge system which is generally

through the global network universities and research

institutes (Warren et al. 1995; Ellen and Harris 2000;

Sillitoe 2002; Berkes 2008). Skill of local traders of trading

flora and fauna, for example, can only be learned

particularly by 'hand-on hand instruction from parents,

elders or peer group among traders, and their specialized

vocabularies, which go with each of these activities. It

appears that the use of native terms associated with place,

based on subsistence activities, including trading of flora

and fauna. Therefore, language and oral tradition are

essential to link in the traditional knowledge and serve an

intergenerational taint of thought (Edwards 2010; Nabhan

2016). Nowadays many scholars believe that TEK and

beliefs, and practices have much to contribute to the

conservation of biodiversity as well as sustainable use of

natural resources (Carlson and Maffi 2004).

Although traditional markets in many regions of Indonesia

as a predominant place to trade in a variety of flora and

fauna are closely cultural, and can be a transmission of

local knowledge or TEK on a variety of flora and fauna,

study of the local knowledge of traders in traditional

markets about the species of fauna, such as species of fish

based on ethnoichthyology approach, as sub-discipline of

ethnozoology and ethnobiology (Alves and Souto 2015) are

still rarely conducted in Indonesia. The prefix ethno in

‘ethnoichthyology’ is used to denote a field of knowledge

defined from the viewpoint of the people being studied and

is similar in meaning to the term folk, as in the folk of

knowledge, in this case on fishes (Milton 1996; Fowler

2000; Brown 2000; Carlson and Maffi 2004). This study

tries to elucidate the knowledge of fish traders in the

traditional market of Pasar Baru, Balikpapan, East

Kalimantan, on various aspects of the fresh fishes they

trade. The research objective is to examine the species of

fish fresh traded and various traders' knowledge about fish

that are being traded, such as fish names, fish habitat,

fishing techniques, fish management in traditional market

of Pasar Baru; and the role of traditional markets as the

transmission of knowledge about fish fresh and

biodiversity conservation fish. In this study, the term ‘fish’

for further use of ‘fresh fish’ does not belong to the

category of salted fish.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Studi sites

This research was conducted in traditional market of

Pasar Baru Balikpapan, which is administratively located in

Kelurahan Kladasan Ilir, Balikpapan Kota District,

Balikpapan City, East Kalimantan (Figure 1).

The Balikpapan Kota District has an area of 10.21 Km2

with has population of 90,645 people, consisting of 46,771

males and 43,874 females. Thus, population is slightly

dominated by females. Balikpapan Kota Subdistrict

consists of 5 kelurahan, namely Prapatan, Telagasari,

Klandasan Ulu, Klandasan Ilir, and Damai. Balikpapan

Kota District is bordered by several other neighboring

regions (Central Bureau of Statistic of Balikpapan City

2018) namely; Central Balikpapan District to North, South

Balikpapan District to East, Makassar Strait to South, and

Central Balikpapan to West.

Traditional market of Pasar Baru Balikpapan is located

in Kelurahan of Klandasan Ilir. Distance to the center of

Balikpapan Kota Sub-District about 3 Km. Traditional

market of Pasar Baru is not the only market in Balikpapan

Kota District. Not far from the location of traditional

market of Pasar Baru Balikpapan, there is also the

Klandasan Market which is located in Kelurahan of

Klandasan Ulu and only about 1 Km from traditional

market of Pasar Baru Balikpapan. The two markets are

traditional markets but under different management.

Traditional market of Pasar Baru Balikpapan is managed

by a private party namely PT. Hasta Kreasi Mandiri, which

in its management always coordinates with the Balikpapan

City government. Meanwhile, the Klandasan traditional

market is managed by the Balikpapan City government

under the Balikpapan City Trade Office.

ALFIAN et al. – Fish species, traders, and trade in traditional market

395

Traditional market of Pasar Baru Balikpapan was

chosen as a research area because of its socially strategic

location. It is located not far from the city center of

Balikpapan, which is only 1.8 Km away from the

Balikpapan Municipality's office. Traditional market of

Pasar Baru is also not far from Sultan Aji Muhammad

Sulaiman Sepinggan Airport, which only takes 20 minutes

when taken by motorized vehicles. Besides being not far

from the airport, the location of traditional market of Pasar

Baru Balikpapan is also not far from Semayang Port which

is a port in the city of Balikpapan which is only 4.8 Km

away or only takes 15 minutes when taken by motorized

vehicle. This strategic location makes traditional market of

Pasar Baru Balikpapan a destination for local residents and

migrants to try their making money at trading to meet their

daily needs. As a result, the traditional market of Pasar

Baru can be considered as one of the city market centrals in

Balikpapan, East Kalimantan.

Based on the background of origin of traders in the

traditional market of Pasar Baru Balikpapan is very

diverse, which comes from Penajam; South Sulawesi, like

Makassar; Banjarmasin; Java; Madura; and Sumatra, like

the Minang people. The large number of migrants who

trade in traditional market of Pasar Baru, also brings the

origin of the knowledge they have from their experience

and culture. This is one of them which is the foundation in

seeing the knowledge of traders, especially fish traders in

the mention of local names and various knowledge about

the fish species being traded.

Research procedures

Study method used in this study was qualitative

approach in which ethnoichthyology of ethnozoology sub-

discipline was used (Albuquerque et al. 2014a,b, Iskandar

2018). Ethnozoology emerged from the field of

ethnosciences, and seeks to understand how the world's

different people have perceived and interacted with fauna

resources throughout history. It is hybrid discipline

structured with combination of elements from both the

natural and social sciences, including biology and

anthropology (Alves & Souto 2015).

Some techniques for collecting field data, namely

observation, recording of types of fish, and semi-structural

interviews or deep interviews were applied. Observations

were undertaken to get a general picture of local market

conditions and the situation of fish trade in the traditional

market of Pasar Baru, Balikpapan, East Kalimantan.

Observations were conducted by researchers visiting the

market repeatedly many times for a month. The visits were

conducted in the morning until noon during the busy

market is taking place.

Figure 1. Map of study site: Traditional market of Pasar Baru, Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Source: Adapted from Google

Map (2019)


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Survey of fish was carried out to identify the species of

fish traded by fish traders in Pasar Baru, Balikpapan. To

identify the species of fish, several books for fish

identification, including Schuster and Djadiredja (1952);

Sawada (1980); Kottelat et al. (1993), and White et al.

(2013) were used. To validate each fish species, documents

and photographs of fish traded in Pasar Baru were taken

and analyzed in the Laboratory of the Animal Systematic

Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of

Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Padjadjaran University.

Semi-structured interviews or deep interviews were

conducted with competent informants who are selected

purposively with regard to differentiates. Some informants,

including some fish traders were chosen with various

variations based on the species of fish that was dominantly

traded, namely male and female traders selling fish of

"layur" (traded of layur), "alo-alo/alu-alu",

gembong/kembung, tenggiri, kerapu, tuna, etc. Interviews

were also carried out with other informant categories, such

as, fish buyers, market management fish buyers, workers of

carrying fishes from the port to traditional market, and the

traditional market management staff. In the semi-structure

interview, informants gave intensive responses to a series

of general questions, some of which have been prepared in

advance and some of which arise naturally during the

course of conservation.

Data analysis

Data analysis used four activities namely data

collection, data reduction, data presentation, and drawing

conclusions or verification (Miles and Huberman 1992;

Newing et al. 2011). The process was carried out

repeatedly to get a certain pattern in the community under

study. In conducting data analysis, the flow was not always

sequential because these steps are intertwined at the time

before, during, and after data collection in a parallel form,

to build a general insight called analysis. To identify

species of fish from fish samples and photographs of fish

carried out in the Animal Taxonomy Laboratory,

Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and

Natural Sciences, Padjadjaran University.

In the analysis for data verification, researchers used

triangulation. Where researchers compare the data of

observations with data obtained at the time of the

interview. The researcher also compared interview data

from one informant to another. In addition, the results of

this field study were also analyzed with some literature.

The results of field data that have been carried out by

cross-checking were then summarized, synthesized, and

narrated in descriptive analysis and evaluative (Newing et

al. 2011).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Situation of traditional market of Pasar Baru

The traditional market of Pasar Baru Balikpapan or the

local community knows it by the name of ‘Pasar Balcony’.

General description of the entrance gate (Figure 2), as well

as general description on the outside and inside the market,

are shown in Figure 3.

The mention of Balcony itself refers to the name of the

shopping center above it, Balcony City before changing its

name to Balikpapan Ocean Square. The traditional market

of Pasar Baru itself is located in the basement area of the

shopping center. This makes many people know him by the

name of Pasar Balcony.

It is not known exactly how this market history was

built. Not yet found in real documents that discuss the

history of the traditional market of Pasar Baru Balikpapan

in the past. But some of the stories compiled from market

traders are believed to have existed from the 1970s.

The informant traders told me that Pasar Baru had

caught fire several times. At first, Pasar Baru was located

more forward than the current location, more precisely on

the edge of the highway. This market was not formally

developed by the government but rather as a gathering of

migrants who opened wooden shanties to trade. Traders

said that not many stalls were built permanently, most stalls

and stalls were made of wood. They also illustrated that the

condition of the New Market at that time was a market that

was less organized and full of simplicity. This is what

makes Pasar Baru several times experienced a fire, because

the material used to set up stalls or stalls is made of wood

so it is flammable.

Due to the limitations of written documents and

photographs of the past of Pasar Baru, the stories that

surround them are also varied. Nevertheless, from the

traders' stories, the researchers had the opportunity to see

how the traders interpreted traditional market of Pasar Baru

as the location they lived in and where they lived.

Figure 2. The gateway for entering traditional market of Pasar

Baru, East Kalimantan, Indonesia


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Figure 3. General situation of the outside (left) and inside (right) of the traditional market of Pasar Baru, Balikpapan, East Kalimantan,

Indonesia

As mentioned earlier, traditional market of Pasar Baru

Balikpapan is located in Kelurahan of Klandasan Ilir, sub-

district of Kota Balikpapan, Balikpapan City. At the

moment, traditional market of Pasar Baru is managed by a

private party, PT. Hasta Kreasi Mandiri in collaboration

with the government. The private sector is also the manager

of the shopping center above traditional market of Pasar

Baru which is now named ‘Balikpapan Ocean Square’. The

traditional market of Pasar Baru is located in this basement,

according to traders, it began in 2013. While management

by the private sector itself began in the last 2 years.

According to the market manager, collaboration between

the private sector and the City of Balikpapan in managing

the traditional of Pasar Baru is because it was launched as a

traditional market pilot market that blends with modern

shopping centers. Why is it also called collaboration

because the city government of Balikpapan also continues

to oversee the operation of the traditional market of Pasar

Baru Balikpapan?

Unlike the traditional markets in general, the location of

traditional market of Pasar Baru is located in the basement

of a shopping center and hotel. This gives a different

impression when first entering the market location. Stalls

and shanties are mostly illuminated by lights, sunlight does

not enter the market so that when there is no lighting the

market lights tend to be pitch black. On the roof of the

market, air ducts and water pipes are connected to the

shopping center above. Inside the traditional market of

Pasar Baru consists of blocks ranging from block A to

block H, each block is still subdivided such as block A-1,

block C-3, block G-2, and so on. Even so, the arrangement

of the kiosk is not based on certain blocks, or in other

words, there is no categorization. Stores, stalls and stalls of

traders in traditional market of Pasar Baru sell various

types of merchandise, such as stalls of nine basic staples

(groceries), vegetable stalls, fish stalls, vegetable stalls,

fruit stalls, coconut milk stalls, clothing stores, food stalls,

and so forth. As mentioned earlier, the various types of

stalls are random, there is no standard food stall to be in

which block.

The traditional market of Pasar Baru is opened every

day, there are no market days in the Pasar Baru open

system. The market is usually crowded in the morning.

After dawn until 07.00 pm Central Indonesia Time (CIT) is

the busiest time in market activities every day. Even so on

Sundays or holidays, the market crowd will be even longer,

namely until 10:00 pm CIT. After this rush hour, traders do

not necessarily close the stall. These traders will remain

open until after 12.00 am CIT or even later. Some traders

still open their shops until the afternoon or at 16.00 pm

CIT. But most of the merchants began to sell their wares

after hearing the dhuhr prayer. The loading and unloading

process in Pasar Baru consists of two times, evening and

morning. In the afternoon the process of loading and

unloading vegetables is usually carried out, the demolition

is carried out on the deck east side of the market. Delivery

of vegetables is done in the afternoon because the traders

will sort the goods before the next morning is sold to

consumers. Meanwhile, for the morning most of the

shipment of meat and fish commodity unloading. The

delivery of meat and fish is done in the morning intended

to have the meat and fish received fresh and then directly

sold to consumers in the market.

Most of the traders in Pasar Baru Balikpapan are

migrants from outside the Balikpapan area. These migrants

came from Banjarmasin, South Sulawesi (Makassar), Java,

Madura, and Sumatra (like Minangkabau). There is no

definite rule for traders from certain regions to trade certain

goods. But these traders usually sell merchandise that is

familiar in the culture and life in their place of origin. Like

most tempe sellers are Javanese, ground spices (bumbu

giling) sellers are Minang, and most fish sellers are South

Sulawesi. Each trader carries different knowledge

according to the culture they received at their place of

origin. Nevertheless, such knowledge also mingles with the

prevailing customs in traditional market of Pasar Baru. For

example, in selling eggs, one of the egg sellers found at

Pasar Baru came from Surabaya. In their original place

eggs are sold per kilogram, but in Pasar Baru eggs are sold

per item or per 30 eggs. The seller also adjusted the habits


398

of the people in traditional market of Pasar Baru.

Although traders in Pasar Baru have different cultural

backgrounds, there has never been a conflict in Pasar Baru.

The same feeling as fellow migrants makes these traders

build harmony with all traders. This can be seen from the

close interaction between traders that occurs in Pasar Baru.

For example, when the market has begun to quiet, while

organizing merchandise, not a few traders who mingle with

one another. In addition, these traders also help each other,

for example, when a trader wants to go for a while to look

for something, the kiosk will be guarded by traders who are

not far from his kiosk. They also help each other when one

of the merchants runs out of goods that consumers want to

buy, then the trader will find it to other similar traders.

Fish trade and Fish Trader in Pasar Baru

The fish seller block in traditional market of Pasar Baru

was built in the form of a room inside the market. This

room is quite large because it accommodates fish traders,

beef and chicken traders, and vegetable and banana sellers.

This block space is limited by a wall that has 7 doors as

access to enter and exit the block. On the wall is equipped

with glass that makes visitors outside can see the contents

in the room. Specific locations for selling fish are located

in the East, at that location, there are 2 doors, namely the

East door as the main access from outside the market and

the Northside door that connects with other parts of the

market (Figure 4).

The location to sell fish is built with white ceramic

flooring and consists of permanent shanties that extend on

white tiles. In these stalls, fish traders line up, each trader

has a stall area of around 1.25x0.75 m. Each merchant's

stall is marked by a scale that is hung on each stall. Each

trader has a scale that is used to weigh fish. The

atmosphere that is felt when entering this fishmonger block

is the bright lights that are indeed different from other

blocks. The lights used by fishmongers are brighter

compared to stalls outside the block. The atmosphere was

brighter because of the lights installed by the manager on

the roof of this block. In addition, the characteristics at the

fish market are wet, muddy and a bit slippery. The wetness

of the floor comes from the melting of ice cubes which is

used to maintain the freshness of fish, besides that fish

sellers also regularly flush the fish they sell with ice water

to always look fresh. This ice water that soaks the floor in

the fish block makes the ceramic-coated floor become

slightly slippery.

In trading fish in Pasar Baru, 3 main stakeholders are

involved: fish traders, coolie carrying fish, and fish

consumers. The involving and activities of these

stakeholders in trading fishes are elaborated as follows.

Fish traders in traditional market of Pasar Baru are

believed by traders to have existed since the beginning of

the market opening. Until now traders did not know exactly

what year traders began trading in the market. One of the

informants argued that "if the fish traders here have been

around since this market existed, that fish is one of the tasty

and special side dishes in Balikpapan, fish are also cheap".

Most fish traders in Pasar Baru Balikpapan are migrants

from South Sulawesi. Nevertheless, there are still fish

traders who come from other regions but the numbers are

very few.

Everyday fish traders in Pasar Baru Balikpapan start to

open their stalls at 04.00 am CIT (Figure 5). Arriving at the

market, fish traders start to open the shanties, which are

preceded by installing lights in each stall (Figure 6).

Installation of lights other than intended as lighting is also

intended as an attraction, because good lighting will make

the fish look attractive. Fish traders' stalls in the morning

are usually already in a clean and dry condition, this is

because every afternoon or evening before returning home

the traders will clean each of their stalls. After installing

the lights, traders began removing equipment such as

scales, plastic bags, and cutting tools such as knives. Soon

fish traders will take out of the cooler, under the stalls of

their wares. Some traders, especially large fish sellers, store

fish cooler boxes outside the fish block, the boxes are

placed near the entrance and loading and unloading

locations located on the east side of the Fish Block. The

traders then arrange the fish to be sold that day. After the

dawn prayer, the traders are usually ready to sell pre-

arranged fish.

Figure 4. Fish trader stalls (left) and east entrance of the fish seller block (right), Pasar Baru Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, Indonesia


399

Figure 5. The situation of the fish block before trading activities begun

Figure 6. Activities before starting the fish trade installing lights (left) and arranging fish (right) on the table

Fish traders in the traditional market of Pasar Baru sell

fish with a weigh system or traders call it the ‘kilo’ system.

The benchmark price of fish is determined per kilogram, it

is intended to facilitate the calculation of the purchase price

and selling price of fish traders. The price of fish in the

traditional market of Balikpapan tends to be stable, this is

because the supply of fish in Balikpapan is always

maintained. However, in certain months the price of fish

can go up or down, this is influenced by the availability of

fish on the market. The origins of where fish are obtained

also influence the buying and selling prices of fish in Pasar

Baru. The price of fish will be cheaper if the fish is

obtained from fishermen or the sea around Balikpapan,

such as fish supply from Manggar fishermen who are local

fishermen in Balikpapan. On the contrary if the supply of

fish comes from outside the Balikpapan area, such as

frozen fish from Surabaya, the price will be more

expensive if sold because the purchase price is above the

price of local fish supply. Fish traders receive greater

supply from fish traders (middlemen) usually at the port or

Fish Auction Place (Tempat Pelelangan Ikan-TPI). At

present, fish sellers in the market simply call ‘middlemen’

(or they call it ‘skipper’) if they need delivery of fish

stocks. Meanwhile, for the occasional payment, the skipper

comes to the market to collect the fish money that has been

purchased. Some traders sometimes also entrust money to

subordinates or motorcycle taxi drivers in charge of

sending fish to the market. But if the nominal is large, then

the skipper himself will take the money to the fish seller in

the market.

Fish traders in Pasar Baru sell fish of various sizes,

most of the fish sold are sea fish. Traders sell small-sized

fish such as ikan biji nangka (Pterocaesio chrysozona),

medium-sized fish such as ikan kembung (Rastrelliger

sp.) Or better known as mackerel fish, or large fish such as

ikan trakulu or ikan kwe (Caranx ignobilis) or ikan

tenggiri (Scomberomorus sp.) and ikan alo-alo or ikan

barracuda (Sphyraena sp.) (Figure 7).


400

Figure 7. Fish of biji bangka (Pterocaesio chrysozona) (left) and fish of tongkol (Euthynnus affinis) sold in the form of cut (right)

Especially for large fish sales, traders sometimes also

serve sales in the form of pieces, so they don't have to buy

one. This is because large fish can weigh several

kilograms, so it is too much for family consumption to buy

one whole. However, sometimes there are also consumers

who buy large whole fish, usually purchased for party

meals or large family meals. The price per kilogram sold as

a whole will be cheaper when compared to in the form of

cut. For example, the fish Trakulu, the price in the form of

one fish is Rp. 40,000 / kg while the price in the form of a

cut is Rp. 50,000/ kg

Fish trading activities in Pasar Baru are busy in the

morning. Before 09.00 am CIT is the busiest time in fish

trading activities in Pasar Baru Balikpapan. After that time,

there are still consumers who buy fish but the conditions

are not as busy as before. Fish traders in Pasar Baru

Balikpapan sell every day, every day these traders sell until

noon. Usually at 11.00 am CIT, fish traders began to

decrease, some had already closed their shanties, and some

had just packed, cleaned and loaded the remaining fish

from the day's sales into the cooler. When the time showed

12.00 am CIT or after zuhr, the fish traders had closed their

shanties. The activity of buying and selling fish in Pasar

Baru can be said to have been completed on that day.

Traders usually close the day's activities by calculating the

cost of transportation with porters who previously raised

fish from the sender to the shanties where they sell. The

traders will also pay ice cubes to the ice seller, when

trading or before closing the traders usually ask for ice

cubes to preserve the remaining fish on sale that day. The

purchase of ice is intended so that fish can still be sold the

next day.

Fish buyers in Pasar Baru

Consumers who buy fish in the traditional market of

Pasar Baru Balikpapan are divided into two groups, namely

fish buyers who are then resold and fish buyers for personal

consumption. Fish consumers as personal consumption

usually buy fish in the morning starting at 06.00 am Central

Indonesian time (CIT). On weekdays (Monday-Friday) not

a few consumers who shop even earlier, namely after dawn

prayer time or at 05.00 am CIT. Personal consumers come

from the area around Pasar Baru Balikpapan.

On the other hand, fish buyers at Pasar Baru

Balikpapan also buy for resale. These buyers usually work

as mobile vegetable sellers or locals call them motor

vegetable traders (pedagang sayur motor). This vegetable

traders usually use a motorbike equipped with a kind of

basket in the back seat. Motorcycle vegetable traders start

shopping earlier than private consumers. Some motorcycle

vegetable traders have even arrived at the market before

dawn or 03.30 am CIT. This is because motor vegetable

traders have to shop for vegetables, fish, meat, fruit, and

the needs of goods to be sold later. Arriving at the market

so early is also intended to get goods at lower prices and

fresh conditions.

The arrival of these buyers is earlier, after arriving they

will park their motorbike around the loading location while

waiting for the fish seller to open their shanties. While

waiting for the vegetable seller, the motorbike will prepare

"brojong" (shells mounted on the motorbike), while

sorting the merchandise leftover from the previous day so

that it can be sold again on that day. These traders will

enter the fish block after dawn or after the fishmongers

open the shed and are ready to sell. These vegetable traders

are easily recognizable by the attributes used, namely most

motorcycle vegetable traders use small sling bags that are

used to save money. In addition, motor vegetable traders

can also be identified from groceries purchased in large

quantities and divided into several plastic bags.

Motorcycle vegetable traders buy fish in the market in

greater quantities when compared to individual consumers.

This is a large amount because the fish purchased will be

sold back to the villages or other regions. The amount of

fish purchased by vegetable traders varies from 2 kg to 5

kg. The fish are usually divided by fish sellers directly into

plastic bags per 1 kg or 0.5 kg. The price set by the fish

seller to the motor vegetable trader is also different from


Pages: 393-406 DOI: 10.13057/biodiv/d210146 Table 1. Fish species were recorded in the traditional market of Pasar Baru, Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, Indonesia

Vernacular name*) Common name Scientific name & family Habitat & catch

technique

Layur (PB) Largehead Hairtail Trichiurus lepturus Linnaeus 1758 (Trichiuridae) Marine, Fishhook

Serisik (PB), Selar, Selar bentong Bigiye scad Selar crumenophthalmus Bloch 1793 (Carangidae) Marine, Fishing Net

Sembulak (PB), Lemuru Jawa Spotted sardinella Amblygaster sirm Walbaum (Clupeidae) Marine, Fishing Net

Hambar (PB), Diles Caraun crocer Johnius carouna Cuvier 1830 (Sciaeinidae) Marine, Fishing Net

Alo-alo (PB), Alu-alu, Barakuda, Pengaluan, Lengko, Langsar Barracuda Sphyraena sp. (Sphiraenidae) Marine, Fishhook

Gembong (PB), Kembung Mackerel Rastrelliger sp. (Scrombidae) Marine, Fishing Net

Biji nangka (PB), Pisang-pisang Goldband Fusilier Pterocaesio chrysozona G. Cuvier 1830 (Caesionidae) Marine, Fishing Net

Tengiri (PB) Cero Mackerel Scomberomorus sp. (Scombridae) Marine, Fishhook

Layang pulau (PB), Bandeng laut, Selayang Raibow runner Elagatis bipinnulata Quoy & Gaimard 1825 (Carangidae) Marine, Fishing Net

Layang (PB) Mackerel scad Decapterus sp (Carangidae) Marine, Fishing Net

Tenggiri kawang (PB), Tenggiri papan, Tenggiri totol Spotted seerfish Scomberomorus guttatus Bloch & Schneider 1801 (Scombridae) Marine, Fishhook

Tongkol (PB), Komo Kawakawa Euthynnus affinis Cantor 1850 (Scombridae) Marine, Fishook

Ame-ame (PB), Cikalang Skipjack tuna Katsuwonus pelamis Linnaeus 1758 (Scombridae) Marine, Fishhook

Trakulu/ Karakulu (PB), Kwee, Meye Giant Trevally Caranx ignobilis Forsskal 1775 (Carangidae) Marine, Fishhook

Trakulu lilin (PB), Kwee lilin Hunchback Trevally Carangoides gymnostethus Bloch & Schneider 1801 (Carangidae) Marine, Fishhook

Kerapu (PB) Highfin Grouper Epinephelus maculatus Bloch 1790 (Serranidae) Marine, Fishhook

Kiper (PB), Ketang-ketang Spotted Scat Scatophagus argus Bennett 1830 (Scatophagidae) Marine, Fishing Net, Fishhook

Kambronang (PB), Baronang Foxface Rabbitfish Siganus vulpinus Schlegel & Muller 1845 (Siganidae) Marine, Fishing Net

Ekor kuning (PB), Surili Fusillier Caesio sp (Caesionidae) Marine, Fishing Net

Belanak (PB), Bebenak Green back Grey Mullet Chelon subviridis Valenciennes 1836 (Mugilidae) Marine, Fishing Net

Como-como (PB), Selar como Yellowtail Scad Atule mate Cuvier 1833 (Carangidae) Marine, Fishing Net

Kakap raja (PB), Kakap merah Scaret seaperch Lutjanus malabaricus Bloch & J.G Schneider 1801 (Lutjanidae) Marine, Fishhook

Kerapu merah (PB), Sunu merah Coral Hind Cephalopholis miniata Forsskal 1775 (Serranidae) Marine, Fishing Net

Alu-alu/ Barakuda kecil (PB), Barakuda, Langsar Bigeye Barracuda Sphyraena forsteri Cuvier 1829 (Acanthuridae) Marine, Fishing Net 2

Kurisi (PB) Japanese Threadfin Bream Nemipterus japonicus Bloach 1791 (Nepteridae) Marine, Fishing Net

Bandeng (PB) Milk fish Chanos chanos Forsskal 1775 (Chanidae) Brackish, Raised in brackish

pond, Fishing Net

Tuna (PB), Tuna Ekor Panjang Longtail tuna Thunnus tonggol Bleeker 1851 (Scombridae) Marine, Fishhook 26

Patin (PB) Catfish Pangasius pangasius H.B (Pangasidae) Freshwater, Raised in fishpond

Mujair (PB) Mozambique Tilapi Oreochromis mossambicus Peters 1852 (Cichlidae) Freshwater, Raised in fishpond

Nila (PB) Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Cichlidae) Freshwater, Raised in fishpond

Ikan Mas (PB) Common Carp Cyprinus carpio C.V (Cyprinidae) Freshwater, Raised in fishpond

Bawal (PB) Angelfish Taractes sp (Bramidae) Marine, Freshwater Fishing net

Lele (PB) Clarias catfish Clarias batrachus Linnaeus 1758 (Clariidae) Freshwater, Raised in fishpond

Haruan (PB), Gabus Chevron Snakehead Channa striata Bloch 1793 (Channidae) Freshwater, Fishhook

Kalwe (PB), Gurami Gourami Ostronemus gourami Lacepede 1801 (Osphronemidae) Freshwater, Raised in fishpond

Rampang (PB), Tawes Tawes Barbonymus gonionotus Bleeker 1849 (Cyprinidae) Freshwater, Raised in fishpond

Note: *) PB: Vernacular name based on fish traders of traditional market of Pasar Baru, Balikpapan


Pages: 393-406 DOI: 10.13057/biodiv/d210146 Table 2. Families and fishes are recorded traded in the traditional market of Pasar Baru Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, Indonesia

Family Common name Species number Percent of the total

Acanthuridae Surgeon fishes and Moorish Idols 1 2.77

Bramidae Prom frets, Castagnoles, Tristones 1 2.77

Caesonidae Fusilier 2 5.55

Carangidae Jacks, Pompanos 6 16.66

Chanidae Milkfishes 1 2.77

Claridae Catfishes 1 2.77

Channidae Snakeheads 1 2.77

Cichlidae Cichlid fishes 2 5.55

Clupeidae Haerings, Shads, Sardines 1 2.77

Cyprinidae Carps 2 5.55

Lucanidae Stag beetles 1 2.77

Mugilidae Mullets 1 2.77

Nepteridae Threadfin bream 1 2.77

Osphronemidae Gouramis, Bettas 1 2.77

Pangasidae Catfishes 1 2.77

Scaenidae Croakers, Dreams, Jewfishes 1 2.77

Scatophagidae Spotted Scat, Spotted Scad, Spotted Butt 1 2.77

Scrombidae Mackerel, Tunas, Bonitos 6 16.66

Serranidae Groupers, Sea bases 2 5.55

Siganidae Rabbitfishes, Spinefoot 1 2.77

Spiraenidae Bonnethead sharks, Hammerhead sharks 1 2.77

Trichiridae Scabbard-fishes, Cutlass-fishes 1 2.77

Total 36 100.00

the price given to private consumers. For example, if it is a

private consumer, the fish seller will make a profit of Rp.

1000, - if you go to a vegetable seller, a fish seller will only

take a profit of Rp. 500, -. Fish that are often bought by

motor vegetable traders are ikan tongkol (Euthynnus

affinis) and ikan kembung/gembong (Rastrelliger sp).

Fish species

Based on the results of an inventory and interviews with

fish traders, it was documented 36 species of fish,

representing 22 families, which were traded in Pasar Baru

Balikpapan, East Kalimantan (Table 1 and Table 2).

Total of 36 fish species traded in Pasar Baru consist of

26 species of marine fish (72.22%) and 10 species of

freshwater fish (27. 78%). In terms of family, based on 22

fish families, documented 6 families have high number of

species, namely Carangidae (16.66%), Scrombidae

(16.66%), Caesonidae (5.55%), Cichlidae (5.55%),

Cyprinidae (5.55%), and Serranidae (5.55%) (Table 2).

In terms of diversity, based on the number of fish

species traded in Pasar Baru, Balikpapan (36 species)

compared to fish species recorded in the modern market

Rokan Hulu, Riau, recorded 24 species of fish, consists of

7 species of sea fish (29.16%) and 17 species of freshwater

fish (70.84% ), representing 14 families (Realita et al

2015); it can be seen that the diversity of fish species

traded in traditional market of Pasar Baru is higher than

that of trading in the modern market of Rokan Hulu, Riau.

Likewise, the number of fish species in Pasar Baru is

higher than that of the market of Pasar Parit 1, Kuala

Tungkal, Jambi, Sumatra, recorded 23 species of sea fish

representing 15 families (Maidika et al. 2016);

Regarding species compositions, it can be seen that fish

species traded in Balikpapan are generally important

economic fishes in Indonesia, such as layang (Decapterus

ruselli), selar bentong (Selar crunemopthalamus),

sunglir/salem (Elagatis bippinalatus), ikan merah/kappa

merah (Luchanus malabaricus) ), komo /tongkol

(Enthynnus affinis), and abu-abu (Thunnus tonggol)

(Genisa 1999). Some species of marine and fresh-water

fish, such as ikan mas (Cyprinus cario), lele (Clarias

batrachus), and nila (Oreochromis niloticus) traded in

Pasar Baru, Balikpapan, are also commonly traded in the

Muara Tungkal market, Jambi and modern markets in

Rokan Hulu, Sumatra (Realita et al. 2015; Maidika et al.

2016). In addition, some species of marine fish traded in

the Pasar Baru traditional market, Balikpapan,

Kualatungkal are also the main species of fish caught by

fishermen in Bangka, Sumatra (Kurniawan et al. 2019).

Meanwhile, various species of fresh-water fish traded in

Pasar Baru, Balikpapan and Rokan Hulu Market, Riau

show that there are species of raised fish in cages

(karamba) and river wild fish, such as S. Mahakam fish,

East Kalimantan, and Siak river, Riau (Kottelat 1995;

Iskandar and Dhahiyat 2012).

On the basis of the results of the recording of fish

species in Pasar Baru, Balikpapan, East Kalimantan and

several markets in Sumatra, shows that biodiversity, such

as the diversity of fish species traded in these markets have

tended to a reflection of biodiversity diversity and cultural

characteristics of the people in the region (cf. Albuquerque

et al. 2014).

402 BIODIVERSITAS 21 (1): 393-406, January 2020


403

Local knowledge on fish

Since the fish traders have experienced in trading for a

long time intergeneration, they have local knowledge or

Traditional Knowledge (TEK). Some TEK of the fish

traders, including naming fish, fish habitat and caugh

technique, sex difference, taste of fish, price of fish, origin

of fish and processing, and freshness of fish and

preservation.

Naming fish

Regarding naming fish based on traders, various species

can be recognized various names, namely vernacular name

and Indonesian names. Vernacular names of fish are

predominantly given names based on vernacular names of

South Sulawesi, due to most fish traders in Pasar Baru,

Balikpapan is migrants from South Sulawesi. For example,

Sphyrena sp is given name by the fish traders of Pasar

Barus as alo-alo. This fish species, however, has also some

local names, including barracuda, alu-alu, pengaluan,

lengko, and langsar. In some cases, fish consumers also

familiar with the vernacular name of alo-alo. However, if

the consumer does not know concerning vernacular name

of alo-alo, the seller will mention with common Indonesian

name as barracuda. Thus, it can be observed when fish

traders offer researchers who in fact are not local residents,

they can sad "Come on Pak or Bu this is alo-alo fish, if you

don't know the name of alo-alo, this is has another name as

barracuda fish!" (Table 1). Some fish names also use

common names in the mention of buying and selling

activities every day, for example, ikan tongkol (Euthynnus

affinis). There are also fish whose names are difficult to

find in the dictionary or in common Indonesian names,

such as ikan biji nangka (Pterocaesio chrysozona), although

using Indonesian but when this name is checked on the

Internet or a fish identification book, the species of fish are

diverse and with the mention there also not one species. In

other words, one vernacular name of fish can be given for

several fish species, based on biological scientific name.

Fish habitat and caught technique

Based on folk classification, fish traded in the

traditional market of Pasar Baru, can be classified based on

their habitat and fishing techniques in the ecosystem (Table

1). Based on its habitat, the species of fish traded in Pasar

Baru, can be classified into two main categories, namely the

marine of fish that having a habitat on marine and fresh-

water fishes. Various species of marine fish, such as layur

(Trichiurus lepturus), serisik (Selar crumenophthalmus),

hambar (Johnius carouna), alo-alo (Sphyraena sp.),

gembong (Rastrelliger sp.), biji nangka (Pterocaesio

chrysozona) and tenggiri (Scomberomorus sp) the main

catches of fishermen from the marine in East Kalimantan,

such as Botang and Berau, also from the waters of South

Sulawesi. The species of marine fish caught by the

fishermen are usually transported to Semayang port,

Balikpapan, the distance is about 4.8 km from Pasar Baru

or 15 minutes by motorized vehicle. In addition, species of

marine fish aside from the Semayang port, also from the

Manggar coastal area, Balikpapan. The distance from Pasar

Baru, about 15 km or 40 minutes using a vehicle from

Pasar Baru, Balikpapan. towards traditional markets,

The species of sea marine are usually caught using

fishing (pancing) and nets (jaring). Some large size, fish

such as tarakulu fish and barracuda are usually caught by

fishing line. Meanwhile, the species of small size fish, such

as kembung (Rastrelliger sp) are usually netted. The

season for many fish is usually in November-March.

Unlike the types of marine fish, freshwater fish species,

such as mujair (Oreochromis mossambicus), nila

(Oreochromis niloticus), ikan mas (Oreochromis

niloticus), lele (Clarias batrachus), and haruan/gabus

(Channa striata) usually their habitats in freshwater, such

as in rivers and are raised in cages and caught by nets and

rivers from the Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, and rivers

in the Balikpapan region, East Kalimantan. Generally,

freshwater fish species are brought from fishing grounds

and sold in the Newmarket, in a state of life. Therefore, the

price of freshwater fish species is more expensive than the

price of marine fish species

Sex differentiate

Based on fish trader perception, the sex differentiates of

several fish species are also recognized by fish traders. The

distinction of sex differentiate is mainly based on physical

characteristics of fish. For instance, sex of ikan tenggiri

(Scomberomorus guttatus) can be diagnostically

recognized based on its physical characteristics. According

to fish traders perception, male of ikan tenggiri has

diagnostic characteristic, mainly it has long body features

with vertical stripes on its stomach. Whereas for female of

ikan tenggiri, she has diganostich characteristic,

particularly she has shorter and slightly wider body features

with dots on their belly (Figure 8).

Taste of fish

On the basis of fish trader perception, based on the folk

classification, the fishes can be traditionally classified as

'taste good fish’ (ikan enak rasanya) and ‘taste bad fish’

(ikan kurang enak rasanya). For example, ikan gembong/

kembung (Rastrelliger sp) can be considered as taste good.

Therefore, if the fish is cooked very simply it looks like

fried it tastes good. Another fish, ikan layang (Decapterus

sp.) is also considered as fish taste; thus if it simply

cooked, given simple sauces, including chili, onion, sugar

and shrimp paste, it may taste good. Conversely, several

fish species, including ikan kipper/ketang-ketang

(Scatophagus argus), based on fish trader perception as

taste bade fish. Because this fish has a lot of fish bonds and

thin flesh. Ikan kipper is usually caught in a net by

fishermen unintentionally. Considering that kipper is not

tasty, the price is cheap, and this fish is not specifically to

be caught, the population in the market is not much. In

addition to different species, fish sex differences also have

different tastes. For example, male mackerel is perceived to

have a better taste than the taste of female fish.


404

Figure 8. Male fish of Tengiri (Scomberomorus sp.) (left), and female Tengiri Fish (right)

Price of fish

The species of fish based on the classification of the

traders can be divided into two main categories namely the

species of fish that have high selling prices and species of

fish that have low selling prices. For example, the fish of

kerapu (Epinephelus maculatus) that has medium to large

size, has a price of more than Rp 150,000/ kg. Several other

species of fish are categorized as having high prices,

including trakulu (Caranx ignobilis) and tenggiri

(Scomberomorus sp), which are priced at Rp 60,000-Rp

65,000 / kg and Rp 60,000-Rp 80,000, respectively.

Conversely, the types of fish that are categorized as having

cheap prices, such as mackerel, laying fish, and milkfish,

sell for Rp. 20,000, Rp. 15,000 and Rp. 15,000,

respectively. In addition, the differences in sex from

several types of expensive fish also have different prices.

For example, male mackerel can sell for Rp 80,000/kg, while

female mackerel sells for around Rp 60,000. This is partly

because male mackerel tastes better than female mackerel.

Origin of fish and processing

Various fishes traded in traditional market of Pasar

Baru Berbagai can be divided into origin and appropriate

for cooking. For example, fish traders in Pasar Baru

Balikpapan have TEK of the origin of fish traded. This was

found when the researchers entered the fish block and

made observations, some visitors asked where the fish

came from and how good it should be cooked. Traders also

answer in detail the questions from the buyers. For

example, ikan trakulu or ikan kwe (Caranx ignobilis)

described by the fish merchants came from Berau waters

and for large sizes caught by fishing, these fish are usually

suitable to be cooked by burning or also cooked with sour

sauce and pepper sauce. Such knowledge becomes

important because directly and indirectly, the existence of

such knowledge and conveyed by traders gives new

knowledge to buyers or visitors.

Freshness of fish and preservation

On the basis of fish traders, various fishes traded in

traditional market can be divided into the fresh fish (ikan

segar) and not fresh fish (ikan tidak segar). Traditionally,

fish traders in Pasar Baru, Balikpapan can recognize and

have special techniques used to determine the freshness of

fish. First, to see fish from their physical condition, and

secondly, to see fish eye. According to fish trader

perception, the fresh fish has a shiny body condition. Apart

from the condition of the fish's body, traders can also find

out the freshness of the fish through the eyes of the fish.

The fresh fish have clear eyes, namely fish eyes that are not

translucent or dull are usually a sign of fish that are old. If

the fish trader is still not sure of the two signs mentioned

earlier there is one more way, namely from the fish gills.

The condition of fish gills that are still fresh red with blood

that is still attached, to find out by opening the gill cover

(opercula) or by pressing the opercula when bleeding, the

fish is fresh (Figure 9).

Figure 9. Pressing opercula (gill cover) to know fish freshness


405

To maintain the fresh fishes, the traders usually use ice

cubes to preserve fish for sale. These ice cubes are

purchased from ice traders located in Pasar Baru,

Balikpapan. The price of ice cubes sold to preserve fish is

Rp1,000/unit. Traders preserve small to moderate fish

using the wet preservation method, which uses water that is

given ice cubes. Traders need 15 cubes of ice to preserve

40 kg of small to medium-sized fish. If the amount is less

than the benchmark, the quality of fish will be damaged.

For example, ikan kembung (Rastrelliger sp.), if the ice is

given less than the stomach of the fish will be damaged.

This causes the selling price to decrease and no longer last

in the next few days. Unlike the preservation of small to

moderate fish, some large fish are preserved using the dry

method, which only uses ice cubes without water. For large

fish traders need 20 ice cubes to preserve 40 kg of fish

weight.

Knowledge transmission and conservation of fish

species

Generally, every community has its own knowledge

about the biodiversity that surrounds it. This is because

humans and their daily lives constantly interact with the

environment or the local ecosystem (Marten 2001). For

example, every community has Traditional Ecological

Knowledge (TEK) and its own mention of certain plants

and animals. According to Berkes (2008), TEK is defined

as a collection of knowledge, practices, and beliefs, which

develops through the process of adaptation and is passed

down from generation to generation by cultural

transmission, about the relationship between living things

(including humans) with one another and with the

environment. TEK is dynamic, built on experience, and

adaptive to change. TEK also gives different meanings and

values to the biological entity. Considering information

from ecosystems is usually perceived, interpreted, and

named and interpreted for humans (Marten 2001; Yenrizal

et al. 2015; Iskandar 2017). The TEK in the fish trading

community, such as knowledge about species of fish can be

transmitted in 3 ways, namely parental, peer and individual

learning (Puri 1977; Iskandar and Iskandar 2005). Parental

learning is the learning of knowledge through the process

of parents/older siblings to their children or learning

through vertical cultural transmission. Peer learning is the

process of learning to share knowledge from peer groups or

peer groups, adolescence. Furthermore, the independent

learning process is independent of each individual or

individual learning or horizontal cultural transmission.

Based on the experience of trading fish species in Pasar

Baru, Balikpapan, fish traders can go through a process of

parental, peer, and individual learning, in general, having

local knowledge or TEK about species of fish, with various

aspects, such as knowledge of fresh fish and not fresh;

origin, method of capture, and processing

recommendations; and how to preserve fish. This is in

accordance with various ethnic groups in cross-cultural

terms in the world, that in general the people who always

interact with species of fish or fisheries have an in-depth

knowledge of the names of fish species and various

ecological aspects about fish (Silvano and Begossi 2005;

Kalanda-Sabola et al. 2007; Utomo 2010; Partasasmita et

al. 2015). The species of fish in the Pasar Baru market, not

only traded, the traders directly or indirectly also provide

knowledge to buyers about the types of fish traded to the

right processing. Therefore, the market is not only a place

for economic turnover and the location of traders looking

for income, but the market is also the arena of knowledge

channeled and further recognition of fish species also

pushes it towards conservation. In other words that given

the traditional markets for the production of many species

of plants and fish, traditional markets are important in

addition to economic interests, it is also important for the

conservation of local biodiversity (cf. Arman 1996;

Iskandar et al. 2018).

On the basis of the study, it can be concluded that it has

been documented at least 36 fish species, representing 22

families. Those species are considered as economic values

in Indonesia. In general, fish traders have quite in-depth

knowledge about the species of fish they trade. The fish

traders in addition to having knowledge about fish species,

also have knowledge of fish sex identification, origin of

fish, how fish are caught, processing methods for

consumption, freshness of fish, and how to preserve fish.

Fish species have local names. The name of the local

species of fish is based on the local knowledge they have.

Traders also often offer fish to buyers by naming the

species of fish, then indirectly the trader has transmitted

knowledge about fish species to the wider community in

the wider community in the market environment. In

addition, given the traditional market diversity in fish

markets is traded high. Thus, the traditional market is not

only important for the economic function of the

community, it also has a function for the conservation of

local biological diversity such as the types of fish that are

negotiated in the traditional market.

On the basis of the study, it can be concluded that it has

been documented at least 36 fish species, representing 22

families. Those species are considered as economic values

in Indonesia. In general, fish traders have quite in-depth

knowledge about the species of fish they trade. The fish

traders in addition to having knowledge about fish species,

also have knowledge of fish sex identification, origin of

fish, how fish are caught, processing methods for

consumption, freshness of fish, and how to preserve fish.

Fish species have local names. The name of the local

species of fish is based on the local knowledge they have.

Traders also often offer fish to buyers by naming the

species of fish, then indirectly the trader has transmitted

knowledge about fish species to the wider community in

the wider community in the market environment. In

addition, given the traditional market diversity in fish

markets is traded high. Thus, the traditional market is not

only important for the economic function of the

community, it also has a function for the conservation of

local biological diversity such as the types of fish that are

negotiated in the traditional market.


406

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors acknowledge the SIMLITABMAS,

Ministry of Research and Technology for funding the

research project of Dr. Budiawati Supangkat Iskandar,

Decree Number 10/E1/KP.PTNBH/2019 and Agreement/

Contract Number 5097c/UN6.G/LT/2019. We also like to

thank all informants, namely the fish traders, fish porters,

and fish consumers of Pasar Baru, Balikpapan, East

Kalimantan for their corporation with this research.

REFERENCES

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